Had our XE serviced a couple of weeks ago at the dealer. In addition to needing a replacement a/c line after the system started blowing hot instead of cold, one of the service recommendations was the need for new wiper blades. I wasn't surprised, this car doesn't really get driven in the rain all that often, so these were the original wiper blades from 2015! As the car needed to go back for the replacement A/C line, the service advisor said he would send through a quote for both. Now, I'm a busy person and was all prepared to pay them to do the wipers.

However, I almost choked on my fizzy drink at the absurd price of $242.70 AUD for supply and fit two rubber windscreen wiper blades!



I'm all for setting fire to cash when it comes to cars, but that price is taking the pi.s! At $100 I would have said yes, would have saved me the time chasing down and waiting for the correct blades, then the fitment. But at $243, the dealer is relying on "non-car people" just saying yes because they don't know any better. And this is why the dealership service departments have a bad name.

$60 AUD later, the parts arrived and were fitted in less than 5 minutes.



Replacing the wiper blades on the XE can be done with or without them in the service position, but it's much easier with them raised. To do this, you need to follow the exact procedure to get them to raise and stay in place mid screen.

1. Sitting in the car, press the start button without pressure on the brake pedal to power up the accessories. Then, press again to power down, the screens and blower fan should be off.

2. Hold the wiper stalk down, then press the start button, again without brake pedal pressure. The wipers will then raise and hold in the vertical position.

3. Leave the power on, screens still active. DO NOT remove the key fob from the car, you risk prompting the car to lower the wiper arms and potentially smash a very expensive windscreen.

4. To return to the resting position, simply press the wiper stalk.

 

Good info, thanks. I got OEM blades from Suburban a few years ago for $20USD each.

 

When I converted $242 AUD to 125 UKP, I almost choked too.

Not a direct comparison but useful to make a point. I needed a rear screen wiper blade on my F-Pace after the rubber was chewed by crows. One of the Jaguar Dealers in Scotland advertises frequently online and is good for big discounts on fast moving service items so I purchased from them.

Two relevant points:

1. competitive cost - likely to make you choke again!
2. the wiper blade supplied OEM and in a Jaguar labelled plastic bag with the correct Part Number was manufactured by BOSCH and clearly stamped with the name.






BOSCH wiper blades are widely available from many aftermarket suppliers so it's worth shopping around for EXACTLY the same part elsewhere. Also, as you found, the fitting procedure is straightforward and quick.

Graham

 

What's the famous phrase these days? Oh yes,.... "It's due to Rising Costs---and Supply Chain Shortages."

Here in the New York/ Long Island area, the available FULL service dealerships for Jaguar are all changing to Certified and Used Jaguar Land Rover dealerships only. Since then, their Service Departments (although still good quality), have become PIRATES of your coins and booty. They make their greatest profit charging you "Diagnostic Fee" for every individual problem you list to the Advisor when you bring your car for servicing.
I learned early, do not bring your car to the service center without filling up your washer fluid tank to the point where it's brimming over----and change your windscreen wipers. Even if your current wipers are only a year and a half old, have a fresh new spare set that you can pull out of the box, snap on the car, drive to servicing with,... and then swap back to your used wipers (so you can put the fresh ones back in the box and save them for when your old wipers are really ready to be tossed out).

 

We do NOT go in for dealer bashing on the forums.

I've removed the last sentence from your post #4 and you will know exactly what it was. I don't want to see any of that again.

Graham